March ends with more positive local cases, closures and support

The month of March ends with a flurry of COVID-19 related news of interest to Valley readers:

• Five positive COVID-19 cases in Renfrew County and District (see below)
• County of Renfrew announced this evening the first positive case of COVID-2019 involving a County of Renfrew employee who works at Miramichi Lodge. The individual has not been present in the workplace for over a week. Residents and staff that were in contact with this individual are being notified and all appropriate measures are being taken to try and eliminate any potential spread of infection at the Home.
• Ontario Declaration of Emergency and associated emergency measures, including the closure of non-essential workplaces and restrictions on social gatherings extended to April 13.
• Province closes all outdoor recreation areas including sports field and playgrounds.
• Public schools remain closed to May 4; private school and child care closures extended to April 13 (exceptions to support frontline health care workers and first responders).
• Ontario increases support for community organizations coordinating subsidized deliveries of meals, medicines and other necessities to seniors.
• Post-secondary students get provincial support through temporary deferral of OSAP loan payments and post-secondary institutions receive online learning supports including year-end exams.

RCDHU reports five cases of COVID-19 in Renfrew County and District

Today, Renfrew County and District Health Unit (RCDHU) confirms five more positive laboratory-confirmed cases of novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) throughout Renfrew County and District (RCD). That brings the total of confirmed cases in RCD to seven.

1. Woman in her 60s, tested in Ottawa at Brewer Arena Assessment Centre on March 16, 2020. She remains at home on isolation and is being monitored. Case associated with travel.
2. Woman in her 50s, tested in Perth on the March 29, 2020. She remains at home on isolation and is being monitored. No travel associated with onset of symptoms.
3. Male in his 20s, developed mild symptoms on March 22, 2020. He was tested at home by paramedics of The County of Renfrew Community Paramedic Program on March 28, 2020. He currently remains at home on isolation and is being monitored. No travel associated with onset of symptoms.
4. Woman in her 30s, developed mild symptoms and was tested on March 19, 2020, at home by the paramedics of The County of Renfrew Community Paramedic Program. She currently remains at home on isolation and is being monitored. Case associated with travel.
5. Woman in her 30s, developed symptoms and was admitted to Pembroke Regional Hospital. She was tested on March 27, 2020. She has been discharged from hospital and remains on home isolation. Case associated with travel and a close contact of confirmed case.

All necessary precautions are being followed to ensure the safety of the patients, the public, and the health care workers.

RCDHU is conducting case and contact management with appropriate individuals and organizations. All affected parties will receive specific instructions on self-isolation and self-monitoring based on exposure.

Dr. Robert Cushman, Acting Medical Officer of Health, Renfrew County and District Health Unit states, “We are seeing more cases in the community and we continue work with our health system partners to ensure the safety of the public. I cannot stress enough that it is everyone’s responsibility to practice physical distancing.”

Botz,M. RCDHU Communications and Emergency Preparedness (2020,Mar.31) RCDHU Reports Five Cases of COVID-19 in Renfrew County and District [media release]